The Wednesday Wrap: Food News to Go

Zap to It: Mark Bittman revisits his microwave to see if it serves any serious culinary purpose in his kitchen beyond re-heating leftovers. And Harold McGee explains the science behind that "quirky appliance" ([I]t can cause a mug of hot water to erupt scaldingly, char nuts and breads on the inside, and blow up eggs and butter.") [NY Times]

When Martha Calls: Sometimes Fed-Ex just won't do... especially when Martha Stewart wants to feature your gourmet S'mores cupcakes on her show. When Jennifer Shea, owner of Seattle's Trophy Cupcakes got the call, she bought a last-minute plane ticket and packed her bags with a KitchenAid stand mixer, gourmet chocolate, Madagascar bourbon vanilla, and plenty of pastry bags. [Seattle PI]

Lost in Translation: Alex Koppelman mourns the television decline of Gordon Ramsay, a man "lost beneath his own shtick," especially in the US versions of his terrific UK cooking shows on display on BBC America. [Salon.com via Serious Eats]

Does Gerber Make a Pancetta Flavor?: Congratulations to Food Network star and bestselling cookbook author Giada De Laurentiis and her husband Todd Thompson on the birth of their baby girl, Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson. [MSNBC.com]

Bruni Beat: Frank Bruni serves up two stars ("very good") for Mia Dona, a "big hearted new restaurant" where "you'll find pasta dishes so forcefully flavored and generously portioned they could play as well at Carmine's as at Del Posto." [NY Times]

--BTP